North Tyler development one step closer

TYLER (KYTX) - Revitalization is taking a major step forward in North Tyler. A development company is close to breaking ground on a senior living center. Tuesday the Tyler Planing and Zoning Commission gave the green light to a new gated senior living center. The first of many large developments for the city's northside.

"Every time I would visit her she would always say I drive by that property today and there's still not anything happening. That would be a beautiful piece of property to develop," Ed Thompson with North Chase Development said.

On the advice of his mother, Thompson purchased 405 acres of undeveloped land on North Broadway back in 2008.

A vision was born.

"We have a lake that we're going to put in, we have lots of retail on both sides of the Loop here," he said.

The master plan includes mixed-use development that would include housing and retail. The Tyler Lakeview Apartments will be the first project. They'll break ground in March. It's a $20 million, 140- unit senior living center. The community is designed for low to medium income seniors citizens.

"Lake View has lots of activities, an activity room, library, a swimming pool," he said.

But Thompson said he wouldn't be able to do it without the city of Tyler.

"If the city had not partnered and invested the money into helping with infrastructure this development wouldn't have taken place," Thompson added.

The city invested $1.6 million putting in water and sewer lines from 32nd street to Loop 323 on North Broadway. The city hoped it would draw more developers to the north side...and it has.

The investment is projected to bring in several multi-million dollars projects, turning North Tyler into a vibrant community once again.

"In five years this is going to be a totally different neighborhood," he said.

The city said that the infrastructure project is extending to I-20. That project will costs $25 million, and will be paid for with bond money.